Primaris Press Release
| For immediate release: July 27, 2006 |
Contact: Matt Heger Primaris Communications Department (800) 735-6776, Ext. 136 |
Influenza and Pneumonia Shots Could Be a Life Saver
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
COLUMBIA , Mo. —In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month, health care experts urge Missouri seniors to protect themselves against the often-lethal flu-pneumonia combination. The best method, experts advise, is through vaccination.
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“Everyone should discuss influenza and pneumonia vaccinations with their health care providers,” said Richard A. Royer, CEO of Primaris, a health care consulting firm based in Columbia that works with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve Missouri health care quality.
“While Missouri immunization rates have been improving, nearly one in four seniors in Missouri on Medicare do not receive their flu vaccination and almost one in three aren't protected against pneumonia,” Royer said.
Minority populations are even less likely to be vaccinated. Medicare data suggests that black seniors are half as likely to receive an influenza vaccination compared to Caucasians. Racial/ethnic populations are more than one-third less likely than whites to be up-to-date on their pneumonia shots.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza and its related complications are responsible for approximately 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year. The CDC recommends an annual influenza immunization for all people age 50 years or older. In addition, people of any age with chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, immune disorders, and all long-term care facility residents should be immunized.
When getting a flu shot, Primaris encourages everyone to ask their doctor about the pneumonia vaccination, particularly adults at high risk. This includes those over the age of 65, adults with chronic medical conditions and nursing home residents.
Medicare covers pneumonia and influenza vaccines, as do some state and private health insurance policies. While a flu shot is needed yearly, pneumonia vaccinations provide protection for several years.
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MO-06-28-HOSP-GEN July 2006
This material was prepared by Primaris, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Missouri , under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.